Ethics of Nuclear Power

Matthias Bell

In 1954, nuclear energy was used to generate electricity for a power grid for the first time
in the USSR. Currently, Pennsylvania has 5 nuclear power plants, and, in my opinion, should
not continue funding research to continue this form of energy going forward. I dont think current
plants should be closed due to their relative low operating costs in comparison to other forms of
energy. However, the high cost of building new plants with the known risks of a breach in
containment as well as the unknown risks regarding the nuclear material, leave me feeling as
though no more plants should be built, nor should additional research be funded for such power.
This is because I feel as though in the same time that the US can work toward minimizing cost
and risk regarding these nuclear plants while maximizing electrical output, its resources would
be better suited to funding research into cleaner, safer, and more efficient means of supplying
our nation with power.